Wire storage device

ABSTRACT

A wire storage device holding objects such as pot and pan lid hanging from an over-head kitchen rack or other type of rack in the kitchen. At the top of the invention is a hook or hooks for which to hang the invention. The lid to be stored, is placed within the wire configuration, the edge of the lid is supported on retaining hooks at the bottom of the invention and the lid is held in an up-right position with the use of an arc of wire which is allowed to tough a surface area of the lid. The invention can also hold many other types of objects commonly used in the home or office.

CROSS-REFERANCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEV.

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to hanging wire storage devices, and more particularly to the type, which holds pan and pot lids. There have been several patents in the past to alleviate the burden of how and where to easily store pan and pot lids.

With respect to U.S. Pat. No. 1,667,266 which has been described as a skeleton frame embodying a loop portion that is engaged by the peripheral edge of the pan lid . . . wherein the lid holder frame is swively, suspended from a hanger rod with a clearance passage for the usual center knob or handle carried by the pan lid. This art is cumbersome to the user's ability to quickly retrieve lids since the user needs to slide the lid up, for a distance, to get the lid out of the clearance passage, also, the clearance passage may not be able to store all lid knob and handle types used in the industry. In addition, due to the complex design of this invention, it is likely that cleaning this device would be difficult for the user.

With respect to U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,010 it is described as hanging on the side of a cooking pot while it is in use. For long-term storage of a lid, the patent requires the user to store the lid on the wall with an additional attachment. Although, this invention hangs, it is not used for long-term storage of the lid but rather while the pot and lid are in use.

With respect to U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,204,344, 887,972, and 794,436, which are described as wire pot lid racks or wall pockets, these inventions are permanently mounted to a wall, which makes it difficult to remove the racks for cleaning and take up valuable wall space for what could be used for some more important purpose, such as, food storage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, this invention is a hanging wire storage device, which holds and stores pan and pot lids. The invention is intended to hang from an over-head kitchen utensil rack but is able to hang from the edge of other wire storage racks that may be used in the room. Lids are able to be stored for a short or extended period of time.

Due to the holding area of the invention, a lid can be easily removed from the holding area of the invention and the device itself can be easily removed from an over-head rack for cleaning. Also, the invention can be located in a great number of locations on the over-head rack giving the user flexibility during cooking and storage.

This invention can accommodated a great variety of knob and handle sizes due to the design of the angled wires on the back-side of the invention

The invention is very inexpensive to produce since the material is readily available and the number of bends are limited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the invention.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1. Open Loop Hook -   2. Imaginary Over-head Kitchen Rack -   3. Neck -   4. Second Loop -   5. First Angled Extension -   6. First Retaining Hook -   7. Imaginary Lid -   8. Arc -   9. Second Retaining Hook -   10. Second Angled Extension -   11. Elongated Hook

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and the art of the invention in greater detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 shows the wire storage device suspended from a bar of an imaginary over-head kitchen rack #2, the rack #2 is not part of this invention but will be referred to throughout this description. The embodiment is a continuous, elongated straight wire bent into a configuration. The preferred configuration is an open loop hook #1 at the top of the invention shaped with an end of the wire for which to hang the invention on a bar of an imaginary kitchen rack #2. The center of the open loop hook #1 is centered on the center of gravity of the invention in regard to both the front and side elevations, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The open loop hook #1 transitions into an elongated hook #11. At the apex of the elongated hook #11 is a 180-degree bend in the wire for which to hang the invention on a bar of an imaginary kitchen rack #2. The open area defined by the wire of the open loop hook #1 and elongated hook #11 is one which, can easily fit over varying bar widths and thickness of varying types of racks #2 enabling the invention to be secure on a rack #2.

Extending from the elongated hook #11 is a straight neck #3 of wire extending straight down but bending before passing through a second loop #4, created by the remaining end of the wire. The wire becomes straight but angled from vertical after passing through the second loop #4. Continuing straight but still angled from vertical in regard to the front elevation, as shown in FIG. 1, for the continued length of the invention is a first angled extension #5 until the wire is bent into a first retaining hook #6 at the bottom portion of the invention creating an area to hold an edge of an imaginary lid #7. An imaginary lid #7 is not part of this invention but will be referred to throughout this description.

First retaining hook #6 also transitions the difference in angles of the wire from the rear portion to the forward portion of the invention, as seen in FIG. 1. At the forward portion of the first retaining hook #6 the wire extends straight at an upwardly angle and away from the first retaining hook #6, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, until it is bent to a degree as to return the wire in the direction toward the rear portion of the invention continuing the same angle, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and then transitioning into an inwardly facing arc #8 created by a bent of the wire on center of the invention in regard to the longitudinal axis of the front elevation, as seen in FIG. 1.

At the center of the arc #8 a mirror image configuration is affixed consisting, in order, a straight, downward, angled, extension of wire extending away from the arc #8 until it is bent to a degree as to return the wire in the direction toward the rear portion of the invention continuing the same angle and transitioning into a second retaining hook #9 at the bottom of the invention creating an area to hold an edge of an imaginary lid #7. Continuing upwards from the rear portion of the second retaining hook #9 is a straight, second angled extension #10. The second extension #10, is angled with respect to the front elevation as shown in FIG. 1, and ends at the second loop #4. The second loop #4 is bent horizontal to the elevation, as shown in FIG. 1.

A process of bending the elongated straight wire begins with a length of wire approximately 3½ feet in length and making a 180 degree bend resulting in a diameter of about three-quarters inch 16 inches into the length of the wire which begins the formation of the arc #8. About 6 inches from the apex of the arc #8 is another bend which, includes simultaneously bending both first and second extensions #5 and #10 respectively about 155 degrees from horizontal creating first and second retaining hooks #6 and #9 respectively. About half way between the apex of the arc #8 and first and second retaining hooks #6 and #9 is a bend which brings the arc #8 about ¾ inch from the first and second angle extensions #5 and #10. At the end of the second angled extension #10 is the second loop #4 which is created by bending the end of the wire back away from the body of the invention 180 degrees and then bending the newly made “U” shape 90 degrees in the direction of the first angled extension #5. First angled extension #5 is placed within the “U” shape and then the “U” shape is pinched closed to fully capture first angle extension #5 on all sides finalizing the second loop #4.

The elongated hook #11 is made 6 inches from the end of the wire of the first angled extension #5 by bending the wire back away from the body of the invention 180 degrees. Allow 1½ inch straight extension of wire before making the transition to the open loop hook #1. Bend the wire 180 degrees as to fold the wire back on itself and allow it to parallel itself to the top of the elongated hook #11 at which point a short extension of wire is needed to extend the open loop hook #1 out on center of the center of gravity of the invention. The open loop hook #1 is made by bending the wire 270 degrees.

First retaining hook #6 and second retaining hook #9 are pulled laterally away from one another creating about a 4-inch gap. Spreading the first retaining hook #6 and the second retaining hook #9 apart creates the angles though out the invention. The neck #3 of wire above second loop #4 is now bent so the neck #3 becomes and remains centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in regard to the front elevation, as shown in FIG. 1. 

1. A storage device comprising a hook or hooks at the top of the invention; a neck from the hook or hooks extending through a loop to a first retaining hook at the bottom of the invention; a bent extension from the first retaining hook to an inwardly facing arc centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in regard to the front elevation; a bent extension from the arc centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in regard to the front elevation to a second retaining hook at the bottom of the invention; an extension from the second retaining hook to the loop through which an extension passes through.
 2. A wire storage device comprising a hook or hooks of wire at the top of the invention; a neck of wire from the hook or hooks extending through a loop of wire to a first retaining hook formed of wire at the bottom of the invention; a bent extension of wire from the first retaining hook to an inwardly facing arc of wire centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in regard to the front elevation; a bent extension of wire from the arc of wire to a second retaining hook formed of wire at the bottom of the invention; an extension of wire from the second retaining hook to the second loop of wire through which an extension of wire passes through.
 3. A wire storage device of claim 2, for the storage of a pot lid, pan lid, or a lid used in conjunction with a device for cooking; and wherein the extension of wire from the loop formed of wire to the first retaining hook formed of wire at the bottom of the invention; a bent extension of wire from the first retaining hook to an inwardly facing arc of wire centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in relation to the front elevation; a bent extension of wire from the arc of wire to a second retaining hook formed of wire at the bottom of the invention; an extension of wire from the second retaining hook to an extension of wire forming the loop of wire, are angled from vertical in relation to the front elevation of the invention; and the storage device is formed of a continuous piece of elongated wire.
 4. A wire storage device of claim 3, wherein the center of a hook at the top of the invention is located as to be in line with the center of gravity of the invention in relation to the longitudinal axis of the front or side elevation.
 5. A wire storage device of claim 3, wherein the center of a hook at the top of the invention is located as to be in line with the center of gravity of the invention in relation to the longitudinal axis of both the front and side elevations.
 6. A wire storage device of claim 3, wherein the first and second retaining hook of wire at the bottom of the invention and the inwardly facing arc of wire centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in relation to the front elevation of the invention have a range in diameter of ⅛ to 2 inches and the length of wire extending between the first retaining hook and the inwardly facing arc of wire and the length of wire extending from the inwardly facing arc of wire to the second retaining hook has a range of length between 2 and 8 inches; and the distance the first and second retaining hooks are from one another range between 1 and 6 inches; and each wire extending from or through the loop has a range in length between 5 and 10 inches; and the distance the inwardly facing arc of wire is to each of the wires extending from or through the loop range between ⅛ and 2 inches.
 7. A wire storage device of claim 6, wherein the first and second retaining hook at the bottom of the invention are to receive and hold in place an edge of a lid.
 8. A wire storage device of claim 6, wherein the inwardly facing arc of wire centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in regard to the front elevation is to receive or support a surface area of a lid in a leaning or up-right position.
 9. A wire storage device of claim 6, wherein the invention is a storage device for additional objects such as china, plates, plant pot holders, vinyl records, discs, rope, books, folders, papers, pie plates, cake pans, measuring cups and many other objects.
 10. A wire storage device of claim 4, wherein the first and second retaining hook of wire at the bottom of the invention and the inwardly facing arc of wire centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in relation to the front elevation of the invention have a range in diameter of ⅛ to 2 inches and the length of wire extending between the first retaining hook and the inwardly facing arc of wire and the length of wire extending from the inwardly facing arc of wire to the second retaining hook has a range of length between 2 and 8 inches; and the distance the first and second retaining hooks are from one another range between 1 and 6 inches; and each wire extending from or through the loop has a range in length between 5 and 10 inches; and the distance the inwardly facing arc of wire is to each of the wires extending from or through the loop range between ⅛ and 2 inches.
 11. A wire storage device of claim 5, wherein the first and second retaining hook of wire at the bottom of the invention and the inwardly facing arc of wire centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in relation to the front elevation of the invention have a range in diameter of ⅛ to 2 inches and the length of wire extending between the first retaining hook and the inwardly facing arc of wire and the length of wire extending from the inwardly facing arc of wire to the second retaining hook has a range of length between 2 and 8 inches; and the distance the first and second retaining hooks are from one another range between 1 and 6 inches; and each wire extending from or through the loop has a range in length between 5 and 10 inches; and the distance the inwardly facing arc of wire is to each of the wires extending from or through the loop range between ⅛ and 2 inches.
 12. A wire storage device of claim 6, wherein the center of a hook or hooks at the top of the invention is located as to be in line with the center of the invention in relation to the longitudinal axis of both the front and side elevations.
 13. A wire storage device of claim 6, wherein the center of a hook or hooks at the top of the invention is located as to be in line with the center of the invention in relation to the longitudinal axis of the front or side elevation.
 14. A wire storage device of claim 3, wherein the wire storage device is used in conjunction with an over-head storage rack.
 15. The process of making a 180 degree bend into a length of elongated straight wire; and about 6 inches from the apex of the 180 degree bend is another bend which includes simultaneously bending both wire extensions about 155 degrees from horizontal creating retaining hooks; and half way between the apex of the 180 degree bend and the retaining hooks is a bend which brings the 180 degree bend to the extensions; and bending the end of the wire of one of the extension as to create a half loop; and bending the half loop in the direction of the remaining extension; and placing the remaining extension within the half loop and then pinching the half loop closed to fully capture the remaining extension; and making a 180 degree bend from the end of the remaining wire extension back away from the body of the invention allowing a straight extension of wire for which to secure the invention on a rack; and pulling the retaining hooks laterally away from one another in order to create the angles though out the invention; and bending the neck of wire above the pinched loop as to be and remain centered on the longitudinal axis of the invention in regard to the front elevation. 